A probationary assistant manager of Vijaya Bank’s Salai Road branch in the city, A. Samuel (27), was arrested on Wednesday on charge of misappropriating Rs. 7.5 lakh and 186 grams of gold jewellery.
The Woraiyur crime police are on the look out for another probationary assistant manager B. Mahalakshmi (31) of the branch, the main accused in the case.
According to police, Mahalakshmi had taken Rs. 4 lakh cash from the bank’s safe a few days ago using the keys available with her.
At the request of Mahalakshmi, Samuel is said to have deposited the cash in the account of Deepan, a relative of Mahalakshmi residing in Salem.
Later, the duo had allegedly taken Rs. 3.5 lakh fed in the bank’s ATM and kept the amount in the safe. Mahalaksmi was alleged to have taken 186 grams of gold jewellery pledged by a customer. The bank’s senior branch manager, V. Thangaraj, was not in station on the day when the misappropriation is said to have taken place.
When Mr. Thangaraj questioned Samuel regarding the cash shortage and about the jewellery on Monday, Mr. Samuel was said to have confessed to have misappropriated the money and returned Rs. 4 lakh. Mr. Thangaraj filed a complaint with the police. A police team apprehended Samuel and Rajarathinam, brother of Mahalakshmi, at Salem bus stand on Wednesday and recovered gold jewellery weighing 186 grams from them. The police are on the look out for Mahalakshmi, Deepan and another accused in the case. A case was booked under IPC section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent) and 381 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) against them.
